PukekoPlus Rent Guarantee for Auckland owners

How PukekoPlus fits with everyday property management in Auckland

What PukekoPlus is

PukekoPlus is an add-on to our standard management that keeps your scheduled rent coming in when an approved, in-place tenant falls into arrears. While you continue to receive rent, we handle the recovery steps with the tenant, including notices, the bond application and, if necessary, a well-prepared Tenancy Tribunal claim. It is not an insurance policy. It is a rent continuity service backed by a dedicated Pukeko fund, sitting on top of our daily arrears monitoring, clear reporting and firm but fair follow up.

What PukekoPlus is not

PukekoPlus does not cover gaps between tenancies. If a tenant vacates and it takes three weeks to place the next one, that vacancy is not covered. It only applies while the tenant remains in the property and is not paying. It also does not cover damage, agreed rent reductions, or situations where we did not place the current tenant. Keeping the scope clear protects the fund and ensures the guarantee is there when it is genuinely needed.

Why eligibility matters

One of the conditions of PukekoPlus is that we must have placed the tenant ourselves. The guarantee relies on our full process - marketing, viewings, credit and background checks, and suitability assessment. If we take over a management with an existing tenant who was placed by another manager or directly by the owner, PukekoPlus becomes available once that tenant has vacated and we have re-let the property through our process. We will tell you straight whether your property is eligible and when the guarantee can start.

How it works when a tenant stops paying

If an eligible tenant stops paying, we act immediately. We contact the tenant, confirm the arrears in writing, and set out the steps and timeframes. A common case is a tenant who gives notice and assumes their bond will cover the final rent. Under PukekoPlus your rent continues to be paid to you while we progress the file. At the end of the tenancy we apply the bond to what is owed, and if the shortfall is greater than the bond we prepare and file a Tenancy Tribunal application to recover the remainder. A hearing can take weeks to be scheduled, which is exactly why owners value the rent continuity: you stay paid while we do the careful, by-the-book work to get the money back.

For context on the rights and obligations around rent arrears and bonds, Tenancy Services provides plain-English guidance on rent arrears and the Tenancy Tribunal process. We keep the evidence tidy - tenancy agreement, rent ledger, notices and inspection records - so any claim is well supported.

Real scenarios where PukekoPlus helps

• Notice given, rent stops: a tenant serves their notice then ceases payment, thinking the bond is a pre-paid exit. Under PukekoPlus your rent keeps arriving while we apply the bond correctly at the end and pursue any shortfall.
• Short-term hardship: a tenant loses their job and misses payments. We follow the appropriate steps quickly and consistently, but your cashflow remains stable while the situation is resolved.
• Tribunal timing: where a claim is required, the lead time to a hearing can be several weeks. PukekoPlus shields your monthly budget during that period so you are not out of pocket pending an order.

If you want steadier cashflow and a calmer approach to arrears, PukekoPlus is a smart addition to your management. We will confirm eligibility, explain the conditions in plain language and include the add-on in your agreement if you choose to opt in. If we are taking over from another manager, we will let you know when PukekoPlus can commence - typically from the next tenancy we place.

Ready to talk through PukekoPlus and get a free rental appraisal for your South, Central or East Auckland property? Get in touch.